N. M. R. Subbaraman, passed
away on 25 January 1983, was an Indian freedom fighter and politician from
Tamil Nadu. He was a member of Parliament from the Madurai constituency
(1962–1967). A doyen of Gandhian philosophy and a
great freedom fighter N.M.R. Subbaraman was popularly known as ‘Madurai
Gandhi’.
He was an ardent follower of Gandhiji and his ideals created a
tremendous impact on his life. That is why in 1922, he refused to go to London
for higher studies and joined the freedom struggle.
In 1923, he became a primary member of the Madurai District
Congress Committee and was elected the President in 1925. He was instrumental
in selecting 27 youths from Madurai to participate in the Vedaranyam Salt March
in 1930. In the same year, he participated in Toddy Shop picketing along with
his wife and courted arrest. He took part in all the Satyagraha Movements of
Gandhiji. His belief in Gandhiji’s ideology and programs was firm and
unflinching.
He was elected Chairman of Madurai Municipality from 1935 to
1942. He also held positions as a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly
before and after independence. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Madurai
Constituency from 1962 to 1967.
He was deeply committed to the cause of the emancipation of
Harijans. His work among Harijans to bring them into the mainstream of
socio-political life is an example of his genuine concerns for their plight and
his relentless efforts to ameliorate their miseries. Through Tamilnadu Harijan
Sevak Sangh, a unit of all India Harijan Sevak Sangh founded by Gandhiji,
N.M.R. Subbaraman was instrumental in establishing a chain of Harijan Hostels.
N.M.R. Subbaraman also got deeply involved in the Bhoodan
Movement started by Vinobaji and donated 100 acres of land.
N.M.R. Subbaraman was the Secretary of the Gandhi Works
publications Committee, which brought out Gandhiji’s works in Tamil in 17
volumes and many other unique publications. When Madurai University was
established in Madurai, N.M.R. Subbaraman was a Member of the First Senate of
the University. He was instrumental in the introduction of a course on Gandhian
thoughts for the first time in the country. He was instrumental in establishing
the first Gandhi Museum in the country at Madurai. He was also the Chairman of
Gandhi Niketan Ashram at T. Kallupatti near Madurai. He was closely associated
with Gandhi Gram in Madurai.
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